Post-Truth is Misplaced Distrust in Testimony, Not Indifference to Facts: Implications for Deliberative Remedies

Popescu-Sarry, Diana

Abstract

How should we deliberate with citizens who entertain post-truth beliefs in democratic societies? This is a central question for those interested in wielding the epistemic potential of democratic deliberation against post-truth. Yet, the strength of proposed deliberative solutions depends on the accuracy with which post-truth is diagnosed. Taking seriously the connection between epistemic diagnosis and deliberative remedy, this paper looks at the motivations provided by non-vaccinating parents for their beliefs and argues for an understanding of post-truth as misplaced distrust in testimony, as against a standard view of post-truth as indifference to fact. Second, the paper argues this new diagnosis of post-truth renders ineffective deliberative strategies aiming to harness the power of impersonal reason and accuracy, of the kind recently defended by Simone Chambers. Instead, combating post-truth as the paper defines it is effectively accomplished through employing bridging rhetoric.

Citation

Popescu-Sarry, D. (2023). Post-Truth is Misplaced Distrust in Testimony, Not Indifference to Facts: Implications for Deliberative Remedies. Political Studies,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 20, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 11, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 11, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 25, 2023
• Journal: Political Studies
• Print ISSN: 0032-3217
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Post-truth; deliberative democracy; antivaxxer; trust; bridging rhetoric
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/26528384